Editing Radama I (section)

{{Infobox royalty
| name            = Radama I
| succession      = [[List of Imerina monarchs|King of Madagascar]]
| image           = Radama I, portrait by Ramanankirahina.jpg
| caption         =
| reign           = 1810 – 27 July 1828
| coronation      = 1810
| othertitles     =
| full name       = Laidama<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=pzxQj7exVSQC&dq=Laidama+RADAMA+I&pg=PT66 Madagascar. Written by Olivier Cirendini]</ref>
| predecessor     = [[Andrianampoinimerina]]
| successor       = [[Ranavalona I]]
| spouse          = [[Ranavalona I|Ramavo]]<br>[[Rasalimo]]
| issue           = [[Raketaka]]
| father          = [[Andrianampoinimerina]]
| mother          = Rambolamasoandro
| birth_date      = {{circa|1793}}
| birth_place     = [[Ambohimanga]], [[Madagascar]]
| death_date      = 27 July 1828 (age 35)
| death_place     = [[Rova of Antananarivo]]
| date of burial  = {{circa|1828}}
| place of burial = Tomb of Radama I, Rova of Antananarivo
}}

'''Radama I''' "the Great" (c. 1793–1828) was the first [[Malagasy people|Malagasy]] sovereign to be recognized as King of [[Kingdom of Madagascar|Madagascar]] (1810–1828) by a European state, Great Britain. He came to power at the age of 17 following the death of his father, King [[Andrianampoinimerina]].

Under Radama's rule and at his invitation, the first Europeans entered his central highland [[Kingdom of Imerina]] and its capital at [[Antananarivo]]. Radama encouraged these [[London Missionary Society]] envoys to establish schools to teach tradecraft and literacy to nobles and potential military and civil service recruits. They also introduced [[Christianity in Madagascar|Christianity]] and taught literacy using the translated Bible.

A wide range of political and social reforms were enacted under Radama's rule, including an end to the international slave trade, although this had historically been a key source of wealth and armaments for the [[Merina people|Merina]] monarchy. Through aggressive military campaigns he successfully united two-thirds of the island under his rule. Abuse of alcohol weakened his health and he died prematurely at age 35. He was succeeded by his highest-ranking wife, [[Ranavalona I]].